Brockenhurst seal first Wessex League win since August despite early red card against Baffins Milton Rovers

Wessex League Premier Division

Brockenhurst FC 2

Baffins Milton Rovers FC 1

BROCKENHURST’S fans must have had their heads in their hands after seeing Harry Bunce sent off after three minutes, but the players dug in for three points.

The win is even more remarkable when taking into account that this is Brockenhurst’s first league victory since the end of August.

With the match a few minutes old, Harry Bunce tried to bring the ball out of the area as an opposition player dipped his head to nod it away. Although Bunce’s eyes never left the ball, the referee showed the red card.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Brockenhurst looked the better team, with Baffins Milton Rovers holding on for long periods.

Baffins were limited to sporadic counters, but Jordi Valero was on hand to deny former AFC Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman on the one time the visitors wriggled free.

With three minutes of the half left, Jake Adams delivered a superb pass to Dylan Walker. Walker managed to get in front of his defender before he was tripped from behind. Lyle Simpson nervelessly converted the resulting spot-kick.

The home fans were expecting a backlash after the break, but the Brockenhurst players were equal to whatever Baffins could muster.

Pitman struggled to get into the game, while Brockenhurst continued to look most likely to score. Their next big chance came off the head Tyler Wellman’s head, but the goalbound effort deflected off a defender.

The burly defender would make no mistake with a subsequent effort, powering a header home at a corner to make it 2-0.

Moments later, the fans were almost in disbelief when Simpson burst into space, but his fierce effort smacked into the crossbar and away to safety.

As the match entered the final moments, Baffins won a penalty, and Pitman wasted no time picking up the ball and firing home.

However, there was only time for the match to be kicked off. Brockenhurst booted the ball into the stands, and the referee blew his whistle.

Next up, Brockenhurst welcomes Sherborne Town to the Meadens Skoda Arena on Saturday at 3pm.

Brockenhurst: J. Valero, J. Tornainen, R. Drake, R. Taylor, T. Wellman, C. Burns, D. Walker, L. Gray, L. Simpson, H. Bunce, J. Adams. Subs: F. Lawton, T. Moreno, J. Taylor, J.J. Bruce, S. Pearce.